Privacy Policy
Community Vision Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation
that provides community-based aged and family care services. As such, we routinely collect and use each individual's personal
information to ensure delivery of appropriate, timely
and quality services.
Disclosure of this information to Community Vision places Community
Vision Inc. in a position of trust within the community and as such
we seek to protect the privacy of individuals in accordance with the
National Privacy Principles (NPPs) within the Privacy Amendment (Private
Sector) Act 2000 (Privacy Act). The following Privacy Statement seeks
to identify how we manage and protect the information provided to us
in accordance with the Privacy Act.
Primary Purpose For Collection Of Information
The primary purpose that Community Vision collects personal information
is to ensure delivery of appropriate family and aged care services that
are tailored to the needs of the individual.
Secondary Purpose
Community Vision is a not-for-profit organisation that receives
Government funding. Public fundraising helps us to enhance the provision
of community-based aged and family care services. Occasionally, we also use the
names and addresses of the people who have expressed an interest in
helping to fund or to volunteer their services to Community Vision.
Information we collect, use and store
To enable delivery of community-based family and aged care services, we collect the
following types of personal information.
- Name and address of client.
- Health status and services provided.
- Relevant demographic and social information.
- Name and contact number of any carers or relevant family members.
- Name and contact number of the client's General Practitioner and
other relevant care providers, where necessary.
Disclosure of personal information to others
There are several instances under which Community Vision needs
to provide personal information to other agencies. The first instance
is where we need to provide another agency with information to enable
care to be delivered to the client. The client's consent is sought prior
to this release of information. A second instance occurs where, for legal
reasons, we are obligated to provide information under subpoena. The
Privacy Act establishes guidelines for the release of information under
these circumstances. The third instance occurs when we provide de-identified
information to funding agencies and Government departments to meet contractual
requirements. De-identified information cannot be linked directly back
to an individual.
In all other situations, the release of personal information relating
to the client may only occur with the written consent of the client
or legal guardian of the client. Notwithstanding the above, the client
has the right to withdraw consent to release personal information at
any time. Such communication should be in writing.
Reporting requirements
Community Vision is contractually obligated to provide reports
to various funding bodies and Government departments. These reports
usually provide de-identified information on the amount of care provided
and the types of clients supported.
Under the funding provided by the Department of Veterans' Affairs for
Community Nursing and Veterans' Health Care Programs, reporting information
is provided to the Health Insurance Commission on the amount of care
provided and the DVA pension numbers of the veteran clients supported.
Legal requirements for release of information
In the absence of the consent of the person to whom the information
refers, or a person authorised to act on their behalf, under the Privacy
Act, information can only be released to another if:
- There is a statutory obligation to disclose certain information.
(For example, subpoenas, warrants, coronial inquiries, provisions
of the Freedom of Information Act and Guardianship Act).
- The public interest requires the release of confidential information.
Use of contractors
At times Community Vision uses contractors to provide aspects
of care to clients. Community Vision's contractors are required to
abide by the same confidentiality and privacy requirements as Community
Vision employees and this is clearly stated within their contract.
Keeping information up-to-date and accurate
Community Vision makes every effort to keep personal information
up-to-date and accurate. This may mean that at times Community Vision
staff will review the personal information held and request verification
as to its accuracy.
To request access to aspects of your personal information that we might
hold or to notify us of any changes or correction please contact
Community Vision.
Access to individual personal information
Individuals can request access to all the personal information held
by Community Vision by contacting Community Vision. This request
will be evaluated as per the requirements and conditions of the Privacy
Act. There may be instances where access is denied to certain record
or aspects of records in accordance with the Privacy Act.
The Chief Executive Officer's staff will ensure the request is handled
in a timely manner. It is reasonable to expect that extraction of the
personal information required may then take up to fifteen working days
due to the need to access both paper-based and computerized information
systems. A nominal fee may be charged to meet the costs of extracting
the information - this is at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer.
Privacy concerns, complaints and suggestions
Community Vision is keen to ensure it adheres to the National
Privacy Principles and protects the individuals right to privacy. If
you have any concerns, complaints or suggestions as to how we might
improve in this area please contact us.
It is reasonable to expect a response to your complaint, concern or
suggestion within three working days. Where a complaint requires investigation
we seek to provide the findings of the investigation and discuss these
with the complainant within ten working days.
